CHICAGO – June 18, 2024 – Non-profit global innovation hub 1871 is excited to announce the launch of the third annual Supply Chain Innovation Lab. In partnership with Accenture, this program aims to revolutionize supply chain operations by leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Applications are now open until 6.24.24 for this year’s lab, which runs from August to November 2024.
“For the third consecutive year, Accenture and 1871 are partnering on the Supply Chain Innovation Lab, bringing together people from a broad range of organizations, driving new ideas for growth. The need for ongoing supply chain innovation is critical as companies continue to balance volatile demand with macroeconomic challenges,” said Patty Riedl, North American Supply Chain Lead, Accenture.
“Chicago’s logistics legacy meets tech’s future at 1871,” Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871. “Partnering with Accenture, we are uniting entrepreneurs and leaders to create transformative solutions and revolutionize supply chains. From AI to smart manufacturing, shape the future with us. Be part of Chicago’s next chapter in global trade, driving the evolution of supply chains.”
The Supply Chain Innovation Lab is designed to connect supply chain tech startups with corporate partners, investors, and industry experts to scale innovation and explore trends for future transformation. This Lab is part of 1871’s suite of Innovation Labs and runs in parallel with the 2024 FoodTech Innovation Lab.
This year’s lab is also supported by Anchor Partner Microsoft, General Partner GS1, late-stage partner EX3 Labs, and partner World Business Chicago.
Supply Chain Innovation Lab 2024 Eligibility
The Lab is open to the following innovators:
- Supply Chain startups with a product launched in market focused on the supply chain space
- Late-stage partners seeking to enhance their supply chain through partnerships or have a core product focused on the supply chain space
- Corporations sitting at the forefront of supply chain innovation or seeking to enhance their supply chain via partnerships
There will be a selection process for startups to ensure those admitted to the program have proven readiness and are a fit for the Lab and its focus areas. Applications close 6.28.24. Learn more and apply here.
The cohort will meet for one whole week of programming in August, September, October, and November 2024, ending with a Supply Chain Innovation Summit on 11.07.24.
2024 Focus Areas
With Accenture providing strategic leadership and guidance, the Lab focuses on several areas for cohort members to explore, identify, and collaborate to solve key issues within the industry. Focus areas include:
- Smart Manufacturing
- Supply Chain Responsibility
- Global Resiliency
- AI in Supply Chain
- Visibility and Planning
Why Supply Chain
In today’s global system, supply chain innovation is crucial to enhance efficiency, resilience, and sustainability, especially for businesses. With advancements in smart manufacturing and improved visibility and planning, these elements provide real-time insights and streamlines production processes, reducing waste and cost.
Emphasizing supply chain responsibility ensures ethical practices and environmental stewardship, alongside global resiliency to withstand disruptions, maintaining continuity in supply. These innovations collectively drive a more robust and adaptive global supply chain.
We invite the press and the public to join us in exploring the future of the supply chain industry.
For inquiries about involvement in partnering with us or learning more about sponsor options for either our Supply Chain Innovation Lab or Supply Chain Innovation Summit, contact our team at corpinno@1871.com.
About 1871 Innovation Labs
The Innovation Labs serve as a dynamic hub for fostering cutting-edge solutions, collaboration, and technological advancement. These labs offer a platform for startups, industry leaders, investors, and venture capitalists to come together to pioneer the future of various industries, including artificial intelligence, cannabis, supply chain, and beyond.
Typically running for three or four months, the labs are at the forefront of innovation, connecting key players in the tech community to drive transformative change and accelerate the development of groundbreaking solutions for today’s challenges.
About 1871
1871, a nonprofit global innovation hub, exists to inspire, equip, and support early-stage, growth-stage, late-stage, and corporate innovators in building extraordinary businesses. 1871 is home to ~500 early-stage startups, ~250 growth and late-stage companies, and ~60 corporates, and is supported by an entire community focused on accelerating their growth and creating jobs in the Chicagoland area. The member experience includes virtual and in-person access to workshops, events, mentorship, and more. The nonprofit organization has 350 mentors available to its members, alongside access to more than 200 partner corporations, universities, education programs, accelerators, venture funds, and others. Since its inception in 2012, more than 1,050+ alum companies are still active, have created over 14,700 jobs, and have raised more than $3.7 billion in follow-on capital.
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 742,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
J Blaszczykiewicz, Sr. Director of Marketing at 1871
j@1871.com
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